CONWAY, S.C. (Interstat) — The Troy women’s basketball team weathered a second-half storm from Coastal Carolina’s Tessa Grady and used a dominant fourth-quarter surge to secure an 88-77 victory in a Sun Belt Conference game Friday afternoon at the HTC Center.

The Trojans, who entered the game with an 80.8% win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, improved to 18-3 overall and remained near the top of the conference standings. The Chanticleers fell to 11-12.

The most critical juncture of the game arrived in the third quarter. After building a 39-31 halftime lead behind a 28-point second quarter, Troy saw its advantage evaporate under a torrent of scoring from Coastal Carolina’s Grady. The Chanticleers erupted for 25 points in the period, with Grady scoring 13 of her game-high 25 points during the run. Her third 3-pointer of the quarter with 35 seconds left gave Coastal Carolina a 56-53 lead, capping a dramatic turnaround and setting the stage for a tense final frame.

Troy, however, responded with immediate and overwhelming force. The Trojans opened the fourth quarter on a 15-2 run, reclaiming control for good. Emani Jenkins and Ashley Baez hit consecutive 3-pointers to start the period, and Fortuna Ngnawo’s inside presence provided consistent scoring as Troy’s defense tightened. After allowing Coastal Carolina to shoot 50% from the floor in the third, the Trojans limited the Chanticleers to 36% shooting in the fourth while forcing six turnovers.

The Trojans’ depth and balance proved decisive. While Coastal Carolina relied heavily on Grady and Kinsea Grimes, who finished with 23 points, Troy had five players score in double figures. Zay Dyer, the team’s top star, posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Fortuna Ngnawo also recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Ashley Baez led Troy with 20 points and added four assists, while Emani Jenkins contributed 15 points and Saniya Jackson added 10 off the bench.

Troy’s victory was built on efficiency and opportunism. The Trojans scored 22 points off 16 Coastal Carolina turnovers, compared to just 13 points off turnovers for the Chanticleers. Troy also won the battle on the glass, outrebounding Coastal Carolina 46-34 and grabbing 13 offensive rebounds that led to 15 second-chance points. Despite shooting a lower percentage from the field (41.3% to 42.9%), Troy attempted 12 more shots, a direct result of their offensive rebounding and turnover margin.

The game began as a defensive struggle, with Troy leading just 11-15 after a low-scoring first quarter. The Trojans found their rhythm in the second, using a 12-3 spurt to build their halftime lead before Coastal Carolina’s third-quarter rally set up the dramatic finish.

For Troy, the win marks their fourth straight victory and continues a strong run in conference play. The Trojans will host Appalachian State on Wednesday. Coastal Carolina, which has lost three of its last five, begins a three-game road trip at Arkansas State on Wednesday.